After the first two rounds of the 2011 MotoGP season, Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow has opted to have surgery. Crutchlow had problems with his right arm during the first two races, and has now underwent successful surgery to correct the problem.

“Since the start of the year I’ve had a problem with my arm muscles and nerves and my hand went numb when I was riding,” Crutchlow said. “It started in Sepang in testing and it occurs each time I ride the bike. Therefore we decided to do this operation to solve the issue, so I can be in 100 per cent physical condition for the rest of the season.”

According to doctors, the muscles in Crutchlow’s right arm were trapping his nerves and causing numbness while he rode. Crutchlow will have his stitches removed in 12 days, and should be ready to race by the first practice session of the Estoril event.

“With this break we have now, it was the perfect time to have the surgery and be assured that I can be back in peak condition for the next race in Portugal,” Crutchlow added. “At the moment I can’t feel two of my fingers, but the doctor said that is completely normal and that the feeling will come back very soon… The doctors said that in 12 days the stitches will come off and I will be able to ride in Portugal, so I’m really looking forward to riding the bike without the problem with my arm.”

The next MotoGP race will be on May 1st in Portugal, giving Crutchlow more than three weeks to recover from his surgery.

“To have surgery once the season has started is always a worry, but I think Cal made the right decision as we have this long break now before the next race in Portugal,” said team manager Herv Poncharal. “If he didn’t have the operation the problem could get bigger and bigger, and you need to be at 100 per cent to ride in MotoGP and be competitive.”